The Pathology Interest Group ("PathIG") was initiated in academic year 2013-14, and is designed to inspire and educate the next generation of leaders in pathology and laboratory medicine.

The PathIG program was created to educate medical leaders on the various roles in Pathology and their impact on the medical field, and to offer a venue for UCLA medical students interested in Pathology to explore the field further. The PathIG hosts informative sessions with guest speakers, microscope review sessions, shadowing opportunities and research fairs and mixers.

PathIG opens each academic year with a luncheon that serves as an introduction to pathology, featuring an informal round table discussion in which UCLA pathologists covering a variety of roles discuss their daily research, education and clinical activities. The second event is an introduction to dermato pathology (in collaboration with the Dermatology Interest Group) - a field within pathology that appeals to many students.

During the year, microscope sessions supplement the medical school curriculum by providing interested students with the opportunity to go through the paces of a pathologist as a they utilize the power of multi-head microscopes in small group sessions; these have become so popular they have to be repeated several times to accommodate all interested students. Shadowing opportunities are also offered throughout the year, wherein students follow UCLA pathologists to get a better grasp of their daily activities. At the annual Pathology Research Fair, faculty present a brief overview of their studies and then students can approach them to learn more about specific projects and opportunities to join their research group.

Upcoming Events

Oct 13, 2015 12:00PM

Introduction to Dermatopathology

CHS 17-323

Events Review

The inaugural PathIG Speaker Series took place on on September 5, 2013 with Drs. Linda Baum, M. Fernando Palma-Diaz, Dinesh Rao, Peggy Sullivan, Dawn Ward and Elena Stark on "Pathology as a Specialty". A second session "Introduction to Dermatopathology" followed on September 19, led by Drs. Scott Binder and Peter Sarantopoulos. These talks discussed the field of pathology clinically as well as its importance in research and education.

Both highly successful events were attended by more than 50 first and second year medical students. At the conclusion, several attendees expressed their fascination with the program, and a consensus that the sessions were very informative and "absolutely amazing." As one of the students stated, "During our first year of medical school, we learn about the normal and abnormal histological findings; these talks are helping me understand how to translate my enthusiasm in histology lab to a future career."

The inaugural Pathology Review Series on Nov. 4, focusing on examining the histopathology pertinent to Block 7, was so successful that the session had to be doubled when 30 students showed up for an anticipated 12 openings.

Other events this year included an Introduction to Dermatopathology and Dermatopathology Shadowing with Dr. Chandra Smart. During this program students had an opportunity to tour the facilities and review cases on the multihead scope with Dr. Smart. 16 students participated in this popular, wait-listed program.

Other programs included a Pathology Panel, a Faculty and Student Research Mixer, and a Surgical Pathology Lunch session which included a pathologist, radiologist and breast surgeon. There were also multiple successful microscope sessions with Dr. Bita Behjatnia.

We congratulate our participating faculty as well as all the student coordinators, on this excellent kick-off to the program.